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This Bird Was Declared Extinct In 1898 And Rediscovered 50 Years Later—Because Of A Footprint
In the early 20th century, the takahe, a rare and unique bird species endemic to New Zealand, was declared extinct. This judgment was based on a thorough search of its known habitats, which yielded no signs of the bird’s existence. It wasn’t until 1948 that the discovery of a single footprints in the Murchison Mountains sparked an unprecedented response from conservationists and government officials.
The rediscovery sparked an immediate call to action, as conservationists and government officials recognized the importance of safeguarding this rare and iconic species. One of the first responses was to designate the Murchison Mountains as a protected area, ensuring that the bird’s natural habitat remained undisturbed by human activities or introduced predators like stoats and rats, which had decimated native bird populations across the country.
Early efforts included predator control, habitat restoration and close monitoring of the remaining population. Field researchers began studying the birds’ behavior, diet and breeding patterns to understand their needs and challenges better.
Source: www.forbes.com
